This cache is located on Halsey Island on Lake Hopatcong. The
island consists primarily of private land having some developed
sites with cottages and surprisingly large homes, considering all
equipment and materials required transport by boat to be here.
Recently a local resident purchased most of the undeveloped land
(including the center clearing) for preservation from development.
Local residency is generally seasonal and the only consistent
access is over H2O (its form is your choice). There is
circular trail around the inside of the island set back approx
150'-200' with 4 paths as spokes to shore. These are not well
marked but are used as right of ways for utility poles and power
lines. Some are well traveled and others are heavily overgrown.
A quick tour will show, with exception of a
few homes, a time long past that was much simpler than today. The
absence of phone or cable has provided generations of residents
time for playing cards, talking and sipping iced tea on the porch
overlooking summer sunsets. Many of the craftsman-style homes are
over 100 years old. The early 1900’s was an era of work and leisure
at Lake Hopatcong with dozens of growing hotels, a thriving ice
harvest industry, two amusement parks, direct train access from
Jersey City and even a few modern motorboats. Like many locations
on Lake Hopatcong in the early 1900’s, the island hosted a hotel
that burned to its foundation in the late 20’s
(
Ardsley Hotel). Some of that lifestyle certainly remains. It’s
easy to sense that even recent advances in wireless technology have
not changed much here. It is an oasis from the hustle.
The cache, a 10" x 3" cylinder, is hidden
along the inner pathway
(
Zoomable Map).
There is seasonal access
by boat, kayak, canoe or inflatable from many public launch sites
(some with rentals). Note that NJ State Police enforce PFD and life
jacket requirements for all watercraft. Although a local resident
has performed 20 annual (escorted) circumferal swims of up to 10
miles for charity, a swim from shore is not recommended due to
significant boat traffic in this area - the rest of the lake
thrives in the 21st century! Winter access could be a short stroll
or even a skate. The ice fishermen are always the first our there,
sometimes curiously close to open water and are good references for
thickness, working on at least 4”. Snowmobiles are a good sign of
thicker ice, but they are known to cross open water at speed and
several take the plunge annually. Hand spikes (aka ice picks) are
mandatory for open ice crossing - hypothermia doesn’t wait for
rescuers to arrive. Please play it safe as ice thickness is
unpredictable due to weather cycles, snow cover, natural springs,
cracks, residential bubblers and chunking due to windward location.